Panama
Panama is a curious but exhilarating combination of cultural influence. It lies
at the center of the world, a narrow strip constituting the last part of a natural
land-bridge between the North and South American continents. A captivating mix of
the historical and the modern, the natural and the man made, Panama is an anomaly
of a Latin American country, and visitors will find it fascinating.
Panama’s most famous feature is certainly the mighty Panama Canal, and many flock
here throughout the year to travel through it or merely to watch in awe as huge
container ships pass through the giant locks. Panamanians are rightfully proud of
their canal, and it is shown in a display of glory. But Panama is also full of beautiful
wildlife, varied terrains and much to see and do, whether your preference is lying
on beaches, trekking through wilderness, sporty activities or exploring cities.
Panama City is divided quite definitively between its shiny new skyscrapers and
its colonial Old Town. Crumbling, peeling ghosts of once-grand buildings stand next
to gentrified hotels and embassies in the Casco Viejo (old town), allowing a glimpse
of a more prosperous past, whereas further north the high-rise chrome-and-glass
monsters indicate where the current wealth lies. Panama City is enthralling to wander
round, with street markets and local life aplenty on view.
Panama is far from just an urban jungle. One of Panama’s largest indigenous groups,
the Kunas, are among the most visited of the tribal peoples of Panama, because they
tie in very nicely with another major tourist attraction: the San Blas Islands.
Often used as stopovers during an incredible journey by boat en route to Colombia,
the San Blas Islands are tiny pieces of tropical paradise which are owned and inhabited
by the Kunas. With their traditional way of life, the Kunas provide a fascinating
insight into what life in Panama was once like.
Another facet of Panamanian culture is to be found along the Caribbean coast – many
towns, islands, cities and villages along this area were settled from Jamaicans
and Barbadians, and the region has a definite Caribbean vibe. In particular, the
Bocas del Toro islands in the north of Panama are an example of such an area and
are popular both for the beach activities and traveler-friendly atmosphere.
Wildlife is spectacular in Panama. The Coiba National Marine Park holds a stunning
amount of rare animals, particularly marine-dwellers, and the scuba and snorkeling
is excellent. The Parque Nacional Marino Golfo de Chiriquí, likewise, is one of
the best places in Central America for whale-watching.
Panama has been a pivotal trade route for 500 years, first under Spanish rule, then
as part of independent Gran Colombia and modern Colombia, and in the 20th century,
as an independent nation. However, the Panama Canal Zone, completed in 1914, was
an American Protectorate for many decades. It was only in 1977 that the Americans
agreed to turn over the canal to full Panamanian control by 1999.
Today, Panama is more settled in its own skin and embarking upon ambitious new projects.
The Panama Canal traffic volume is constantly rising each year, and the canal itself
is to expand substantially by around 2014.